Awareness, Prevention and Education
At David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health, we believe that knowledge is power—especially when it comes to mental health and substance use.
Our Awareness, Prevention, and Education efforts are designed to equip individuals, families, and organizations with the tools they need to foster healthier lives and a stronger Collier County.
How We Help
Active Parenting
At DLC, we’re here to support you at every stage of your parenting journey. Our free parenting resources are designed to empower families through education, early intervention, and community connections. Whether you’re navigating the early years or dealing with teen challenges, our programs are tailored to your family’s needs.
Parents Of Young Children
Parenting Teens Program
Children Prevention Programs
Our Children’s Prevention Services are designed to empower children and adolescents with the knowledge and tools to build healthy, resilient lives. Through a range of engaging, age-appropriate programs, we focus on preventing substance use, suicide, behavioral challenges, and emotional distress—while promoting life skills, emotional intelligence, and positive decision-making.
Children's Prevention Talks
Children’s Prevention Services consist of programs for children, adolescents, parents, and preschool educators. Education and information principally target substance use, suicide, life skills, conflict resolution, anger management, behavioral problems, and depression. In addition to participation on-site with DLC, specialists go to schools and after-care programs.
Our Prevention Team has a series called “Prevention Talks” that includes videos covering various topics for parents and children.
Too Good for Drugs
An evidence-based prevention program discussing the negative consequences of drug use and the benefits of a nonviolent, drug-free lifestyle.
The program also focuses on developing personal and interpersonal skills to resist peer pressures, enhance goal setting and decision making, manage emotions, communicate effectively and have respect for self and others. An age appropriate curriculum with different activity kits per grade level, Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Life Skills Training
An evidence-based prevention program that teaches personal and social skills to promote individual competence. The program aims to decrease vulnerability to pro-substance use and social influences from peers and the media. This curriculum is offered for middle school or high school students.
Second Step
Second Step teaches kids the skills needed to succeed socially and academically. Classes are available for children in local schools in grades pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. The program assists educators in their efforts to build self-esteem, self-control, respect for the rights of others and responsibility for one’s own actions.
Second Step includes education on:
- Social-emotional skills
- Problem solving skills
- Self-Regulation
- Feelings
- Being Fair
- Bullying
- Friendship
- Manners
- Consequences
Programs for All
At David Lawrence Centers, we believe that mental health education should be accessible to everyone. We offer a variety of learning opportunities designed to empower individuals, families, workplaces, and the broader community. These trainings are led by professionals and range from in-depth workshops to quick, actionable webinars—each one crafted to make our community stronger, safer, and more compassionate.
QPR Suicide Prevention Training
DLC regularly hosts a QPR Suicide Prevention Training, that is open to the community. This in-person presentation features an overview of mental health, common challenges and warning signs, how to discuss concerns with others, and resources available. Each attendee will be trained in Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): an evidence-based suicide prevention certification.
For future training dates, please check our Events page.
Speaker’s Bueau
The David Lawrence Centers offers educational workshops and presentations to businesses, organizations, and community groups on a variety of mental health and wellness topics. Our expert clinical staff members come to you and speak on subjects customized to the needs of the audience and based on the availability of our professionals.
Examples include: Workplace Wellness, Understanding Substance Use and Addiction, Common Mental Health Concerns and Warning Signs, Coping Skills and Prevention Tips for Youth, and more!
To schedule an educational presentation, or to learn more, please fill out the contact form and we will contact you!
Compassionate Collier
This 2.5 hour, in-person training will provide a comprehensive understanding of mental health and common concerns. Moving through stages of mental wellness, from prevention to early identification to crisis, attendees will learn tips to recognize warning signs, address concerns, provide hope and encourage resources.
Compassionate Collier participants will be certified in the evidence-based, nationally recognized, suicide prevention program, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), which provides anyone in the community with the confidence and skills needed to offer assistance in times of crisis.
Mental Health First Aid
This globally recognized certification program provides the skills and understanding needed for anyone in the community to respond appropriately to mental health needs and crisis situations. Participants will learn an action plan, with 5 steps, to enhance their ability to intervene effectively and offer hope and support.
MHFA features an adult module to address and recognize concerns among the adult population, and a youth module to understand challenges many young people today face and is perfect for anyone with a role in the lives of youth.
Both modules feature a two-hour, self-paced, online course followed by an instructor-led training session.
Webinars
Join us for a variety of 20-minute impactful virtual presentations. Each session offers practical tools and insights to help individuals and families support overall well-being. Topics include recognizing mental health warning signs, instilling confidence in youth, understanding the impact of alcohol on health, and promoting social media safety.
Additional Resources
Local Community
Resources
Collier County is home to many community resources that can assist in challenging times, download this resource list to view the many ways our community organizations can lend a helping hand!
Community Mental
Health Partnership
As a community resource, DLC’s Community Mental Health Partnership provides businesses, nonprofit organizations, and other partners with meaningful and tailored mental health education and prevention trainings.
Upcoming Events
and Classes
Discover all our upcoming events and classes right here—stay informed, get involved, and don’t miss a chance to learn or connect! Check back often for the latest updates.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
If you or a loved one needs support, we’re here to help.
Call (239) 455-8500 to speak with a mental health professional today.